Requiem (Dvorak)

Antonín Dvořák's Requiem in B-flat minor, Op. 89, B. 165, is a funeral Mass for soloists, choir and orchestra, composed in 1890.

Antonín Dvořák composed the Requiem at the beginning of his peak creative period. The construction of the Mass is not typical: the composition is divided into two basic parts, each of which begins with the original interconnection of several liturgical sequences. Dvořák inserted between the "Sanctus" and "Agnus Dei" a lyrical "Pie Jesu" movement based on the final text of the "Dies Irae" sequence. The Requiem's basic melodic motif is created by two ascending half-tones with an incorporated very sorrowful diminished third, which begins the piece and continues in many variations as the main motif throughout the whole work.

This composition was performed for the first time on 9 October 1891, in Birmingham, England, with the composer conducting.

The approximate duration of the work is 95 minutes.

The work is scored for soprano, alto, tenor and bass soloists; SATB choir; and an orchestra of piccolo, two flutes, two oboes, English horn, two clarinets, bass clarinet, two bassoons, contrabassoon, four horns, four trumpets, three trombones (two tenor and one bass), tuba, timpani, tam-tam, campane, organ, harp (Offertorium and Hostias only), and strings.

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